Radiator cleaning composition



Patented June 7, 1938 ATENT FFlfiE anodes mmm'ron CLEANKNG comosrrron Benjamin Gall'sworthy, Glenham, N. Y., assignor to The Texas Company, New York, N. Y... a corporation otDelaware i No Drawing.

i Claims.

This invention relates to a radiator cleaning compound adapted to be added to the circulating water of a radiator of an internal combustion engine, for the purpose of removing accumulated rust, dirt and scale and increasing the co-efilcient of heat transfer of the radiator shell and cylinderblock.

Various types of radiator cleaning compositions of this character have heretofore been suggested, but have been in the main either comparatively ineffective for the purpose or else objectionable as dangerous to use because of chemical attack upon the metal parts of the circulating system, solder, hose connections and the like. Such compositions have generally been in the form of dry powders to be added to the circulating water, or concentrated water solutions.

While having some beneficial effect upon deposited scale or dirt, such materials are generally ineffective in removing the scum of deposited oil which accumulates in a radiator of this character. In order to remove such an oily scum, a petroleum fraction of the character of kerosene has been employed. However, it has proved diflicult to secure an efiective mixture of kerosene with a cleaningcompound, in order to secure the desired easy handling and addition of the materials to a radiator for effective distribution therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiator cleaning'composition of this character which is effective in removing both scale and oily scum without objectionable action upon materials of the circulating system, and to pro vide the composition in a highly effective form which can be easily handled and directly added to the circulating water so as to obtain maximum eificiency. v e

In accordance with the present invention the radiator cleaning composition is a concentrate in the form of a water-oil emulsion containing a cleaning compound and an emulsifying agent. The oil employed is preferably a kerosene fraction. Various. types of alkali metal cleaning compounds can be employed, which are of a character to efiect desired removal f rust; scale and dirt and at the same time avoid injury to the metal and rubber parts of the circulating system. A very satisfactory material of this character is sodium metasilicate. However, ordinary water glass or other alkalimetal or soluble silicates can be employed. Likewise, trisodium phosphate or other alkali metal phosphates can be used.

An emulsifying agent, preferably in the form of an alkali metal soap, is employed to form a Application August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,741

permanent or semi-permanent emulsion of the water. kerosene and alkali metal cleaning compound. Various alkali metal soaps or trieth anolarnine soaps can be used for this purpose. But, preferably, an alkali metal soap of acids of oxidized waxy hydrocarbons is employed as constituting a highly efiective and 'economical emulsifying agent. A. very satisfactory material of this character is obtained by forming the alkali metal soap of acids of oxidized parafiin wax, the m latter being prepared as disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 1,909,945. As set forth in the patent, a charge of parafiin wax, for example crude scale wax having a gravity of between 48 and 50 A. P. I. at 130 F., is placed in an enameled or 15 aluminum vessel which is preferably jacketed or otherwise fitted to permit heating or cooling of the contents. The vessel is also fitted with an air distributor, preferably located near the bottom, through which air may be introduced in fine streams to promote intimate contact of the air with the oxidizing mass. If the vessel is well insulated, the heat developed by the oxidation will be sufiicient to maintain the charge at the proper temperature, once it has been brought to that temperature by outside means such as a steam coil. The charge of wax may be heated to a temperature between 260 and 335 F. and air may be introduced in sufficient quantity to maintain the desired temperature. The most satisfactory temperature range for the oxidation has been found to be about 3l5-320 F. The oxidation is allowed to proceed until the batch attains a gravity of 33-35 A. P. I. By carrying out the oxidation in this manner, a material is produced having a low acid value while containing a relatively large amount of saponifiable bodies or esters. Moreover, the oxidized material is substantially free from red gum, which is that material insoluble in naphtha, for example an 86 B. gasoline. The resulting oxidized material is then subjected to sweating at 90-100 F. and separated into approximately of semi-liquid sweatings and /3 of solid waxy material. The sweatings so obtained had approximately the following tests: I

Gravity, B 25.5 Viscosity at 100 F 205 S.U. Pour, "F 95 Neutralization No 25.8 Saponification No 129 The following is an example of the preparation of a radiator cleaning composition of this invention, utilizing the oxidized paraflin wax sweatings obtained as above outlined. The following ingredients were heated together at around 180 F. for 7 hours, with occasional stirring:

I The mixture lost 247 g. in weight during the above saponification which left it with the following approximate composition:

Percent by Grams weight Oxidized paraffin wax sweatings 600 79. 68 Sodium hydroxide 95 percent 40 5. 31 Water 113 15. 00

until the metasilicate dissolved. Approximately.

75% by weight of this soap solution containing the metasilicate was then agitated in a high speed stirrer with 25% by weight of kerosene, until a good emulsion was obtained which showed little signs of separation after standing 1 week.

The above concentrate in the form of an emulsion has many advantages in ease of handling and in effectiveness as a. radiator cleaner. In use, the concentrate may be poured directly into a large volume of water in the circulating system, whereupon with running of the engine, a dilute emulsion is formed throughout the circulating system. For example, about /2 to 3 pounds of the concentrated emulsion may be added to approxover night in the radiator, which is then drained and flushed. The proportions in which the ingredients of the composition can be employed and the strength of the concentrate, can be varied -within wide limits; and it is to be understood that the above is given by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may

be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim: g

1. A radiator cleaning composition consisting essentially of a preformed concentrated emulsion of water in kerosene containing a soluble silicate and the sodium soap of acids of oxidized paraflin wax, the composition being adapted to be added directly to the circulating water of an internal combustion engine cooling system to form a dilute emulsion of cleaning effectiveness therewith.

2. A radiator cleaning composition consisting essentially of a preformed concentrated emulsion of water in kerosene containing sodium metasilicate and the sodium soap of acids of oxidized paraflin wax, the composition being adaptedto be added directly to the circulating water of an internal combustion engine cooling system to form a dilute emulsion of cleaning effectiveness therewith.

3. A radiator cleaning composition comprising a preformed concentrated emulsion consisting of about by weight of a sodium soap of oxidized paraffin wax sweatings in solution in about twice the weight of water of the said sweatings, and containing about 10% by weight of sodium metasilicate on the weight of the said soap solution, to-

gether with about 25% by weight of kerosene.

4. The method of forming a. radiator cleaning composition, which consists of mixing an-alkali metal soap'of oxidized paraffin wax acids with water, dissolving therein an alkali metal silicate, and then emulsifying the said solution with kerosene to produce a preformed concentrated stable emulsion which is adapted to be added in said emulsified condition directly to the circulating Water of an internal combustion engine cooling system to form a dilute emulsion of cleaning effectiveness therewith.

BENJAMIN GALLSWOR'II -IY. 

